Always fun to watch Bhajji bat: Dravid

“It’s always fun to watch Harbhajan bat,” said Rahul Dravid, at the end of the second day’s play, reports Anand Vasu.

If Harbhajan Singh infuriated the Australians with his batting antics, he certainly brought a smile to the Indian dressing room. With only two half-centuries from the top seven, it was only a spirited tail-end batting show that kept Indian hopes alive.

“It’s always fun to watch Harbhajan bat,” said Rahul Dravid, at the end of the second day’s play. But Harbhajan’s contribution was more than just entertaining. “We still need to be positive and believe. Anything can happen on this wicket. The 80-odd run partnership between Zaheer and Bhajji has given us some hope,” said Dravid. “If we get some runs tomorrow and then pick up early wickets, you never know what will happen. Obviously, we are a little behind at this stage of the game, but not so far that we cannot fight back.”

Mitchell Johnson, who ended with 4 for 62, admitted that he was frustrated at not being able to knock the tail over. “When the tailenders come in you probably push a little too hard, trying to get wickets. I guess I was trying to get a five-for as well,” said Johnson. “I think when you bowl to tailenders you have to be patient, as you are with the top order. Sometimes when you push too hard they get away from you.”

After scalping big names like Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, Johnson was well in line to get rid of the tail, but that was not to be. “I was very nervous bowling yesterday and a little bit this morning. To get those wickets, those big names is pretty exciting for me,” said Johnson, who came in for some praise from one of the men he did not dismiss.

“He bowled really well and got reverse swing — sometimes when you bowl well you might not get wickets — but he made us play a lot of balls,” said Dravid. “His first spell in the morning was really good and then came back in the afternoon and bowled with some good pace.”

Even though he conceded that India were playing catch up, Dravid felt they were still in with a chance. “All three results are possible. I think it’s going to be two interesting days of cricket from here on.”